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Panthers vs. Buccaneers Odds, Picks, Predictions Week 17: Bucs Favored in Key NFC South Matchup

Philip Wood

Last Updated: December 30, 2022 10:43 AM EST • 2 min 30 sec read.

Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Dec. 25, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona.
Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Dec. 25, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images via AFP.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers haven't had a good season, but could wrap up the NFC South with a win Sunday over the Carolina Panthers. Read on for our top Panthers vs. Buccaneers pick.

After starting the season 3-8, the Panthers won three of their last four games, and now control their own destiny heading into a Week 17 matchup with the NFC South-leading Buccaneers. 

The Bucs defeated the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16, but like most games this year, didn't look good in the win. Tampa trailed 16-6 in the fourth quarter, before getting its second final-quarter comeback in four weeks. The Bucs can wrap up the NFC South with a victory. With a loss, there are numerous things they'd need to go right in Week 18.

Here is our best Panthers vs. Buccaneers Week 17 NFL pick (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

  Check out our NFL best bets and all of our top NFL picks for Week 17!  

Panthers vs. Buccaneers Game Info

  • Date: Sunday, Jan. 1, 1 p.m.
  • TV: Fox
  • Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
  • Weather: 77 degrees, 40% chance of precipitation, 5-mph winds

Panthers vs. Buccaneers Odds

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Panthers vs. Buccaneers Odds Analysis

The Bucs opened as 6.5-point favorites, but after the Panthers ran all over the Detroit Lions, and the Bucs looked bad against the Cardinals, the line dropped to three. On Pregame.com, the Bucs saw slightly more than 50% of the support, but this line is definitely in danger of dropping below the key number.

The line total opened at 42, and dropped to 40. 60% of the cash and 51% of the tickets on Pregame.com backed the Under.

Panthers vs. Buccaneers Pick

Panthers +3.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Bucs shouldn't be favored by more than a field goal over anyone right now. Three of their last four wins came by way of fourth-quarter miracles, and their most recent two losses were ugly.

Meanwhile, the Panthers found their stride under interim head coach Steve Wilks. He's 5-5 since taking over a 1-4 team, and put together a perfect game plan to defeat a red-hot Lions team in Week 16. The Panthers’ last three wins were very convincing, even in their 6-point victory over the Seattle Seahawks, they led by 13 with 16 seconds left. 

The Buccaneers only average 17.7 points per game, and scored more than 17 points just twice in their last five matchups. The Panthers allow 22.5 PPG, but gave up less than 19 per game in their last five.

The Under could be the right play in this one, but the number is really low at 40. Trust the hotter team that plays with confidence to keep this within a field goal. If you’re feeling brave, Carolina's moneyline is even a good choice at +150 or higher.

Panthers vs. Buccaneers Best Odds

DraftKings (-115)

DraftKingsFanDuelBetMGMCaesarsPointsBet
Panthers +3.5Panthers +3.5Panthers +3Panthers +3Panthers +3
-115-122-115-110-105

DraftKings is the only major sportsbook offering their main line at +3.5. FanDuel has this number as an alternate line, but the value is worse. The other three sportsbooks offer +3, but don't have alternate lines available yet.

So, DK is the no-brainer. The Panthers getting the hook against a team that hasn’t won by more than a field goal in their last five contests is almost too good to be true. Sometimes, that means something's up. But Tom Brady is still under center for the Bucs, which will always make them the more public team.

Panthers vs. Buccaneers pick made 12/30/2022 at 9:54 a.m. ET.

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Written By:
Philip Wood
Phil is a Sports Betting Analyst for Sportsbook Review and BettingPros.com, specializing in NFL and college football. He previously covered college football and college basketball for CanesInsight.com, where he also hosted the College Football Pick 'Em podcast. Phil is always looking for value, especially on lines that just seem too good to be true. His belief is if a line doesn't make sense, just assume that Vegas knows something you don't. An alumnus of The U, Phil always holds out hope that the next head coach will be the one who turns the football program around. Some would call him a frontrunner for his love of the Yankees and the Celtics, but he's also a diehard Detroit Lions fan and will never forgive the refs for the blown pass interference call against the Cowboys in 2015.